Student-wife-teacher combo presents a challenge, but one determined graduate takes it all in stride Christy's alarm clock goes offat 5: 15 on Monday mornings. With her husband still in bed, she leaves the house at 6 and drives to North Little Rock to spend the day teaching her fifth grade class. After school is out, she returns to Searcy and attends classes at Harding until 9:15 p.m. No wonder she feels like dropping dead when she finally gets home in the evening! While many Harding students eagerly awaited that happy day of graduation when they would be able to leave classes, exams and deadlines behind, about 300 of this year's students were in school because they had decided to return and take graduate classes. Like Christy, many had families and full-time jobs, but these did not keep them from performingwell in their classes. After graduating from Arkansas Tech University in 1994, Christy Reeves, 26, got married and began teaching. "I really enjoy teaching. It's something I've wanted to do all my life," she said. "But after a while I realized that getting more education might open up a lot of opportunities for me." So, in the spring of 1995, Reeves became a student again and began working toward a master's degree in education administration. And, yes, it has been stressful at times, but the benefits have far outnumbered the difficulties. "I feel like I'm making myselfgrow, not only in the understanding of my field, but also as a person," Reeves said. "I used to procrastinate all the time, for instance, but this has taught me to be more organized." Reeves' greatest learning experience was the opportunity to view her field simultaneously as a teacher and a student. "It's amazing how quickly you forget what it was like to be a student," she said. "Coming back into the classroom has helped me find a balance between having fun and being the teacher. I'm more aware ofwhat students like and dislike in a teacher because I'm a student again." It also became easier for Reeves to recognize how the material she has to study applies on thejob. "Manyofmystudents thought it was odd that their teacher was going to school," Reeves said. "But, I'm seeing that it's important for teachers to keep on learning, even if it's just to set a good example for the students." Marguerite Haley presents her final research project about the use of art in special education. Graduate students are required to take three hours of special education. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. During her time as a graduate student, Reeves found both her teachers and her husband to be very cooperative. "My husband is really supportive - sometimes a bit too much so," she said, smiling. "When I'm not getting my work done, he'll tell me to go study!" Reeves enjoyed being able to discuss her classes and teaching methods with her husband, Kyle, who teaches communication classes at Harding. The thing Reeves had the hardest time with in connection to returning to school was "having to write papers for classes and actually going back into the library to do research," she said. Reeves hopes to work in the field of education administration and become a school principal. But for now, she has other matters on her mind: besides being a full-time teacher, a wife and a student, Reeves is expecting a baby! Talk about a load of reponsibility. Most students would questionwhether it would be worth all the stress and sleepless nights. But Reeves said she had no doubt about it - it's been worth it to her. - Karin Springer Graduate Programs 145
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